Q&A: ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder’

The 2017-2018 National Tour of the Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder, produced by NETworks Presentations, announced full casting for the premiere Fort Lauderdale engagement at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession, by any means necessary. All the while, he’s got to juggle his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin but who’s keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea.

James Taylor Odom will play the role of the eight D’Ysquith heirs and Blake Price will portray the role of Monty Navarro.

It was a pleasure to sit down with the lead James Taylor Odom for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

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James Taylor Odom

At what age did you begin singing/acting?

I have always had an affinity for entertaining people since I was 5 years old. I saw the film Clue and was imitating Tim Curry. My older brother was an actor in high school, but I didn’t begin my journey to act and sing until I was 14.

What was your first Professional/Paid gig?

My first paid gig was a show called Confession the Musical, which was a show in Indiana about the Amish written by Beverly Lewis, a New York Times bestselling author.

Other than this show, what role has been your favorite to play and why?

I did a show called Murder for Two, the Musical in Arkansas. I saw the show off Broadway in its preview. It’s a show with just two actors, one played the detective and I played the suspects…all 13 of them. This was the time of my life doing something so exciting and challenging.

What’s your fantasy role?

A dream of mine would absolutely be to play Wadsworth the butler, in the national tour of Clue the Movie.

Is there a lot of pressure for you as you play eight characters in this show?

Even though I played 13 in Murder for Two, the Musical, this is still harder because these are full costume changes that I have 14 seconds to change into. Full physical, vocal, emotional and costume changes.

WATCH:

How many people do you have helping you with the quick changes?

I have one dresser, one wig and makeup person, a local dresser, and a tech person checking the mic.

What should the South Florida audiences expect out of this touring company of GGLAM?

They are going to love this show, as it is a well written clever musical with songs you can sing along to. It’s got so much humor, not only from the clever lyrics but also from the actors on stage. It’s really a great escape from everything else going on in the world right now.

This touring company is so talented and skilled and we are lucky enough to be working with people we love to work with. We hit it off from the beginning (that’s not always the case). When a cast likes each other it reflects in the show.

Tickets for A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder are available now at the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222. Orders for groups of ten (10) or more may be placed by calling 954.660.6307. Ticket prices start at $35.25*.